Soroptimists around the world have leapt into action in light of the global pandemic, supporting local communities and those facing increased physical, mental, and financial challenge.

The very inequalities addressed in The Road to Equality SI President’s Appeal are exacerbated by the pandemic. We are witnessing increasing threats to the safety of women and girls – domestic violence,  human trafficking, FGM and child marriage, with many older women facing the crisis alone, and refugee women lacking access to adequate healthcare and sanitation facilities. Women, representing 70% of the global health workforce in most countries, are on the frontline, working tirelessly, often for less pay than their male counterparts.

We have observed how Soroptimists are stitching and crafting, making masks and other protective equipment such as gowns, face shields and more, for themselves, for friends, for their communities and for those on the frontline.

The SI Road to Equality would like to invite each and every one of you to join us as we launch #MasksForEquality and to share your activities with us, both past and ongoing, through a short online survey.

If you are making masks and protective items, or working on other projects in response to COVID-19, we would love to hear from you, to recognise and measure your collective impact. CLICK HERE to complete the survey and join the #MasksForEquality campaign.

Please make a donation to the SI President’s Appeal and support our latest partnership with Days for Girls International, a movement that has reached more than one million girls with menstrual care, education, and sustainable sanitary solutions. Your donations will help fund Days for Girls’ sewing groups and micro enterprises in developing countries, who are providing masks to local women and girls.

CLICK HERE to MAKE A DONATION

Please use our hashtag widely on social media. Photos and videos you post online will help us share the impact of #MasksforEquality.

For any queries, please contact Appeal Co-ordinator Ayushi Kundu at: sipacoordinators@soroptimistinternational.org

Please do let us know about any other projects and activities you are doing to support women and girls in response to COVID-19.

To find out more about Days for Girls International please visit HERE